Hamster Bedding

What type of bedding is safe to use?

​There are quite a few different types of bedding that are safe to be used for hamsters, the main ones are: Paper, Hemp and Aspen or Spruce Wood shavings.

White, natural and coloured paper bedding is safe to use, just ensure it is not scented as this can cause respiratory issues and be overpowering for hamsters.

Avoid any sawdust, as it is too dusty, and unspecified softwood shavings, as both can cause respiratory issues. 

Also, avoid any fluffy bedding such as Kapok as this can get tangled up in their digestive system, pouches or limbs. 

 

How much should you use and why?

How much bedding can fit in a hamster enclosure depends on a few things.  Primarily, these will be the height of the enclosure and the size of the hamster wheel, because when adding the wheel height and the bedding depth height both need to be able to fit in the enclosure, with the wheel still being able to go round without it hitting the top of the enclosure. 

Anything from 8 to 12+ inches of bedding is recommended, this is so a hamster can exhibit their natural burrowing behaviour; any less and it makes it harder for them to burrow, especially the larger species. ​​